RL: Mayfield 24 Thatto Heath 26

FOR the second time this season, Mayfield were the better team against the much vaunted St Helens based Thatto Heath, but again they finished up losing by a narrow margin.

And while the result was a massive disappointment for the team, it was a personal triumph for Danny Lockett as he ran in a hat-trick.

Mayfield opened brightly and Karl Platt crossed after a superb blind side move. Danny Mortein converted.

The visitors closed the gap with an interception try, and within minutes scored a second.

The home side hit back as Mortein intercepted on the halfway line to run clear. He added the extras.

Thatto cashed in on Mayfield mistakes to take a 10-point lead before Lockett ran in his first on 28 minutes. After the break Mayfield took the game to Thatto, and Lockett's second try on 52 minutes set up a tense finish.

With two minutes to go missed tackles allowed Thatto to break clear for what was to prove the winning score. Lockett had just time to complete his hat trick. Captain Emon Ratu stepped up to attempt the conversion from wide out, but was gutted to see his effort go just to the right of the posts.